How do you design sustainable infrastructure that adapts to climate change?

1 Assess risks and vulnerabilities

The first step in designing sustainable infrastructure that adapts to climate change is to assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities of the system and its context. This involves identifying the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of the infrastructure and the communities it serves to various climate hazards, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, storms, and sea level rise. By using tools such as climate models, scenarios, indicators, and mapping, engineers can evaluate the likelihood and magnitude of impacts, as well as the opportunities and barriers for adaptation.

3 Engage stakeholders and users

The third step in designing sustainable infrastructure that adapts to climate change is to engage stakeholders and users throughout the process. This involves identifying and involving the relevant actors, such as governments, businesses, communities, and individuals, who have an interest or influence on the infrastructure and its performance. By using methods such as participatory approaches, co-design, co-production, and co-evaluation, engineers can ensure that the infrastructure meets the needs and preferences of the users, reflects the values and priorities of the stakeholders, and fosters social learning and empowerment.

4 Apply systems thinking and life cycle analysis

The fourth step in designing sustainable infrastructure that adapts to climate change is to apply systems thinking and life cycle analysis to the system and its components. Systems thinking is a holistic approach that considers the interrelationships, feedbacks, and dynamics of the system and its environment, rather than focusing on isolated parts. Life cycle analysis is a method that assesses the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the system from cradle to grave, including the extraction, production, transportation, use, and disposal of materials and energy. By using these tools, engineers can optimize the performance and sustainability of the infrastructure across multiple scales and dimensions.

5 Monitor and evaluate outcomes

The fifth step in designing sustainable infrastructure that adapts to climate change is to monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the system and its adaptation measures. This involves collecting and analyzing data on the performance, impacts, and benefits of the infrastructure and its components over time, using indicators and metrics that are relevant, reliable, and transparent. By using techniques such as feedback loops, adaptive management, and learning cycles, engineers can track the progress and effectiveness of the system, identify and address gaps and challenges, and adjust and improve the system as needed.

6 Share and scale up best practices

The sixth and final step in designing sustainable infrastructure that adapts to climate change is to share and scale up the best practices and lessons learned from the system and its adaptation measures. This involves communicating and disseminating the results, insights, and recommendations of the system and its components to the relevant audiences, such as policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the public, using appropriate formats and channels. By using strategies such as networking, collaboration, and replication, engineers can foster knowledge exchange and transfer, promote innovation and capacity building, and enhance the scalability and sustainability of the system.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?